AQUIFER TEST IMPLEMENTATION BILL MILLER, P.G.

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN COMMISSION

AQUIFER TEST IMPLEMENTATION

Once your Aquifer Test Plan is approved…

Usually two years to complete the aquifer test

The majority of failed tests originate with implementation issues

Approved Aquifer Test Plan to Failed Aquifer Test…

Poor Execution of a Good Plan

Rigid Execution of a Good Plan under Changing Conditions

WHY TEST? The goal of the aquifer test is to produce data adequate to evaluate the short and long term

impacts of the water withdrawal/use

1. Sustainable withdrawals

2. Impacts to competing groundwater or surface water users

3. Impacts to the environment

The goal of the aquifer testing is the collection of appropriate data

NOT A task checklist

OVERSIGHT, DATA REVIEW AND ANALYSIS

DIRECT VS. INDIRECT MEASUREMENT

Where is that rating curve….

COMMUNICATION

Public Water System

Consultants

Regulatory Agency (SRBC/PADEP)

AQUIFER TESTING IMPLEMENTATION

Consultant should be the expert on the site

Suggested that consultants follow the format of the guidance

Minimize variables during testing – control everything that is controllable

SELECTING APPROPRIATE TESTING CONDITIONS

Evaluating both short and long term impacts

Implications for the selection of testing conditions Wetter period may be appropriate with

low groundwater elevation seasonal variation

Dryer period typically selected – but implications for surface flow

Could result in post-approval conditions

AQUIFER TESTING IMPLEMENTATION

Master prognosticator

Finding testing window can be challenging

Monitoring network often in place collecting background data, waiting for opportunity to test

Look for periods with low probability for precipitation

During winter, consider the possibility of snowmelt

Weather.com; NOAA; Weather Underground; CoCoRaHS

Tests may be invalidated by too much precipitation

Surface water monitoring points tend to be most sensitive

Aquifer Testing

Step Test

Background Monitoring

Constant-Rate Aquifer Test

Recovery Test

STEP TEST

Only required if the proposed production well is to be used as one of the two points in a distance-drawdown analysis, but…

Can provide information that could be helpful during the constant-rate test

Well efficiency at various rates

Can be conducted in advance of the remainder of the testing

Select locations can be monitored to refine the monitoring network

The pumping may be continued at a selected rate to provide additional information

STEP TEST

BACKGROUND MONITORING

Begins after 90% recovery from step test

At least 48 hours (72-hours in PADEP guidance)

Demonstrate asymptotic groundwater and recessional surface water trends (base flow) in monitoring network prior to starting test

Additional background monitoring may be required for some projects (e.g. projects with other pumping wells)

No pumping of test well during background period.

CONSTANT-RATE AQUIFER TESTING

Begins immediately after background period

Assess sustainability

Evaluate the potential for adverse impacts

Predict impacts from long-term pumping

RECOVERY TEST

Immediately follows constant-rate test

At least 24-hours and until aquifer has recovered to at least 90% of pretest levels, minus groundwater recession

Useful in assessing sustainability of proposed withdrawal

GENERAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

A shorter duration test may be appropriate, particularly under changing conditions.

Test duration may need to be extended in response to test results and changing conditions (Monitor test results).

1. The generally recommended length of the aquifer constant-rate test is 72 hours. A longer or shorter test may be appropriate to evaluate aquifer and well capabilities, as well as potential impacts to existing water supplies and the environment. The project hydrogeologist must recommend an adequate pumping test length demonstrating due diligence for site characterization and long-term protection of the resource, and provide a rationale for that recommendation. However, the duration may need to be increased during the test in response to ongoing test results.

Extending Constant-Rate Test Duration

Test interruptions

Pump problems

Generator/power problems

Other Murphy’s Law considerations

Generally, test should be extended by the amount of time to re-establish the pumping level and drawdown trend.

Data review and analysis during testing.

GENERAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

May result in extended constant-rate test duration

Development and turbidity issues can be evaluated during step testing

Data evaluation during testing

2. Aquifer tests must be performed on wells that are considered to be completed and fully developed. Wells exhibiting incomplete development characteristics (i.e., turbidity spikes or unexplained water level fluctuations) may require an extension of the pumping phase or retesting. In carbonate, unconsolidated, or deeply weathered formations, continuous turbidity monitoring will be necessary, and the proposed monitoring methodology should be described in the aquifer test plan. Wells exhibiting well development episodes during the testing must demonstrate development-free performance during the last 72 hours of testing.

GENERAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Inspect discharge pipe/hose at test start-up and periodically during the test.

Use appropriate energy dissipation devices at discharge point

3. Discharge from the proposed production well must be routed such that recirculation does not occur. This typically results in a discharge point 300 to 500 feet down dip (bedding, schistosity, etc.) from the proposed pumping well, but may be 2,000 feet or more in karst-prone carbonate formations. Recirculation will invalidate the test and will require retesting.

GENERAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

4. Prior to discharging any wastewater, drilling wastes, or raw water from the proposed production well to any surface water feature, the project sponsor must first obtain any required approvals from the appropriate state or local water management or other agencies. The approval(s) must be forwarded to the Commission prior to the start of testing.

5. The background, pumping, and recovery phases of aquifer testing must be conducted during a period of asymptotic groundwater and surface water recession (base flow). The test should not be conducted during or shortly after a precipitation event that could result in a rapid change of water level or flow.

6. Following the step test, the aquifer must be 90 percent or more recovered prior to the start of the 48-hour background monitoring period.

7. The background monitoring must immediately precede the constant-rate test.

GENERAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

8. The proposed production well may be pumped at any rate desired, but must be pumped at a constant rate for the test duration specified in the approved plan (recommended 72 hours). The Commission will not approve the well for operation at a rate higher than the average tested rate.

9. The pumping rate of the proposed production well must be monitored with an appropriate flow measurement device that is accurate to within 5 percent. The flow rate should be held constant to within 5 percent of the target flow rate for the duration of the test or the test will likely not qualify as a constant-rate test and may have to be rerun.

10. Valving must allow adjustment of the pumping rate to within the required tolerances.

Make sure that the test is not started at maximum valve settings. Must be able to adjust to maintain rate with falling head.

5 % of the target flow rate

Considerations:

Under-developed well

Sustainable yield over-estimated based on blown yields

Step Tests can be very useful to refine target aquifer test rates

Pumping rate is one of the data trends that should be evaluated in addition to being documented.

SYSTEM OPERATION DURING TESTING

Refer to Aquifer Test Plan. Check implementation.

Communicate plans to all parties.

Communicate with SRBC staff if any changes are necessary.

Goal is to isolate impacts as a result of pumping the test well

Extended background periods may be needed to establish steady-state or near steady-state conditions

May be extremely important part of plan – often overlooked or not adequately considered

GENERAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

11. The flow rate (gallons per minute) and cumulative flow (total gallons pumped) should be recorded at a minimum of once per hour.

12. All flow rate adjustments must be documented with a measurement of flow before and after adjustment, the time at which the adjustments were made, and a rationale for the adjustment. This information must be included in the hydrogeologic report.

GENERAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

13. If a well exhibits unexpectedly excessive drawdown, testing should be suspended. After full recovery, the test should be restarted.

15. A test with a declining pumping rate due to excessive drawdown or inadequate pump capacity will be considered a failed test and will require retesting.

Monitor and evaluate during testing

GENERAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

14. Any change in the trend of the time-drawdown curve, such as might be caused by a positive/recharge boundary or negative/barrier boundary encountered during the test, must have a record of at least 24 hours. Therefore, any boundary condition encountered during the last 24 hours of pumping will require that the test be extended.

GENERAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

16. The aquifer test plan reviewer must be notified at least two working days prior to the start of testing by e-mail or telephone.

17. The project sponsor may be required, at its expense, to provide temporary water supply if an aquifer test results in interference with an existing water use.

GROUNDWATER MONITORING GUIDANCE

Don’t request that wells in use change their usage patterns. Groundwater elevation data still useful and can also be used to better evaluate impacts to other wells.

Monitoring devices

AUTOMATIC WATER RECORDERS (PRESSURE TRANSDUCERS)

Two cable types – vented and unvented.

Vented – Make sure to use desiccants. Install with end connection pointing downward so water does not collect and migrate down vent line.

Unvented – Sealed, so no condensation/water issues, but a barometric transducer MUST also be used. Barometric compensation MUST be conducted for any submitted data.

They can and do fail. ALWAYS collect manual back-up measurements.

AUTOMATIC WATER RECORDERS (PRESSURE TRANSDUCERS)

Operation of transducers should be verified prior to background monitoring and then rechecked prior to the constant-rate test.

Check battery levels

Check units and test programming

Transducers should be downloaded and data evaluated during testing phases. Direct read cables are recommended.

Any time a transducer is deployed, disturbed or removed, a manual measurement should be collected before and afterwards.

AUTOMATIC WATER RECORDERS (PRESSURE TRANSDUCERS)

Select appropriate PSI ratings

Install to monitor expected groundwater range

If groundwater level falls below transducer, the transducer should be lowered – again, collect a manual measurement before and after adjustment.

Installation of a stilling tube can dampen pump effects and ease deployment and retrieval.

SURFACE WATER MONITORING GUIDANCE

Ponds and wetlands without flow:

Install hydraulically separated piezometers

Flowing surface water (including pond and wetlands discharges as well as springs and streams)

Quantitative analysis (instrumented weir or flume) when the proposed withdrawal exceeds 10% of the flow at the time of testing (DIRECT MEASUREMENT)

Streambank piezometers may be used when the proposed withdrawal rate is less than 10% of the flow at the time of testing (INDIRECT MEASUREMENT)

WEIRS AND FLUMES

Reliable measure of 10% of the proposed withdrawal or natural flow rate, whichever is smaller

10% change in flow must correspond to at least 0.01 feet of change in the device (1/8 inch)

Must be suitable for range of flows expected during testing

WEIR SELECTION

Minimum water depth for V-notch weirs is 2.9 inches to measure 10% change in flow as at least 1/8 inch in level change.

Minimum water depth for rectangular weirs is 1.8 inches

V-notch angles and rectangular weir width determine the minimum flow rate measurable.

Select appropriate weir angle/width or flume throat size for anticipated flow volume.

http://www.lmnoeng.com/Weirs/vweir.php

PRECIPITATION MONITORING

On-site instrumentation is recommended, to nearest 0.1 inches

12-hour interval through all phases of testing

Note the duration of any precipitation events

Rain gages should be unobstructed

Snow should be recorded as a liquid equivalent

SUMMARY

Collect manual back-up measurements. Automated equipment and systems can fail. Monitor equipment operation.

Evaluate all collected data during the test. Compare the results against the General Performance Guidelines.

Select a testing period that minimizes variables and maximizes the collection of direct measurements of the tested variables.

Communicate changing conditions, unexpected results.

EXTENDING THE CONSTANT-RATE TEST

Constant-rate test interruptions due to pump, power of other concerns.

Unexpected precipitation once the test has started.

Changes in the rate of drawdown in the last 24 hours of the test.

POTENTIAL FAILED TEST SITUATIONS

Recirculation of discharged water.

Pumping rate variation in excess of 5% of the target withdrawal rate.

Excessive drawdown

Decreasing pumping rate due to excessive drawdown and inadequate pump capacity (a constant-level instead of a constant-rate test).

Precipitation

QUESTIONS

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